Most popular AEC services

Help wanted (water expertise preferred)

The top five services most popular services provided by AEC firms hasn't changed in several years (see 'Technology trend' graphic), and likewise the remaining top 10 answers are no surprise: watersheds/water resources (23%), water treatment (21%), traffic control (21%), maintenance of public buildings (18%), asset management (15%). Readers also added a few of their own categories: transit engineering, sign inventory, environmental permits, and buildings.

Last year, we began asking if departments were using AEC firms for certain services more than they had in the past. While a third of respondents aren't relying more on outside expertise, water-related services topped the list for those who said they were. This year, wastewater/stormwater treatment, watersheds/water resources, water treatment, and pipeline construction/rehabilitation accounted for 57% of responses (56% in 2011).

Departments' use of AEC firms remained steady this past year, with 60% reporting 10 or fewer projects involving an outside firm. Half of respondents expect this trend to stay the same for yet another year, while 20% expect it to increase and 16% expect it to decrease.